How to Request New Debit Card

A debit card gives you access to ATM withdrawals, POS payments and, depending on the card, online and international transactions. If your existing card is expired, damaged, lost, stolen or no longer suitable for your needs, you may need to request a new one.

Nigerian banks provide different card-request channels. Depending on the institution, you may be able to order a card from a mobile banking app, internet banking, telephone banking or a physical branch. Access Bank’s current digital channels, for example, include new debit-card requests and card-management functions. 4

Reasons to Request a New Debit Card

• Your card has expired.
• Your card has been lost.
• Your card has been stolen.
• The physical card is damaged.
• The chip or magnetic stripe is no longer working properly.
• The card has been compromised.
• You need a different card type offered by your bank.
• Your existing card has been permanently blocked.

How to Request a Debit Card Through a Mobile App

Start by opening your bank’s official mobile application and signing in. Go to the card-management area. The menu may be called Cards, Card Services, Manage Cards or something similar.

Look for an option such as Request New Card, Get a Debit Card or Replace Card.

Select the account to which the card should be linked and follow the instructions. The bank may ask you to choose a card type, delivery location or collection branch.

Requesting a Card at a Branch

If your bank does not offer digital card ordering for your particular account, visit a branch. Take a valid means of identification and any account information the bank requires.

Tell the customer-service representative whether the request is for a new card, renewal or replacement. If the previous card was stolen or compromised, make sure it has been blocked before requesting the replacement.

What Information May Be Required?

The exact requirements vary, but a bank may verify your identity, account details, registered phone number and card status. Additional documentation may be required for particular card types.

Do not give your ATM PIN to a person filling out a card request. Your PIN is confidential.

Replacing a Lost or Stolen Card

Lost and stolen cards should be blocked before a replacement request is completed. FirstBank’s published debit-card terms specifically instruct cardholders to notify the bank immediately when a card is lost, stolen or suspected to be compromised. 5

After blocking the old card, request a replacement through the bank’s approved channel.

Replacing a Damaged Card

If the card is physically damaged but still in your possession, the bank may require you to surrender the old card or provide its details before issuing another one. The exact process and applicable fee depend on the bank’s current tariff.

How Long Does a New Debit Card Take?

There is no single delivery period for every Nigerian bank. Some banks provide cards quickly at selected locations, while personalised cards or cards requiring delivery may take longer.

Ask the bank for the expected collection or delivery date when you submit the request.

Can You Request a Card Online?

Yes, some banks allow customers to initiate card requests online. Access Bank, for example, provides card services through its mobile banking ecosystem. 6

However, the exact options available to you may depend on the account type, card type and current digital banking platform.

How Much Does a New Debit Card Cost?

Card fees vary by bank and card type. Charges can include issuance, replacement, renewal, delivery or other applicable fees. Nigerian banking charges can also change, so check your bank’s current tariff before paying.

What Happens to Your Old Card?

If you are replacing an expired or damaged card, the old card may be deactivated when the replacement becomes active. If the old card was lost or stolen, it should already have been blocked.

What to Do After Receiving the New Card

1. Check that your name and other printed information are correct.
2. Inspect the card for obvious physical damage.
3. Activate the card using the bank’s official procedure.
4. Create or set the required PIN.
5. Sign the card if the issuer requires it.
6. Update merchants or services where the old card was saved.
7. Safely destroy an expired or invalid old card.

Do You Need to Update Subscriptions?

If your old debit card was saved on streaming services, online stores, software subscriptions or other legitimate merchants, the replacement card may have a different number and expiry date. You may need to update the payment information manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I request a new debit card without closing my account?

Yes. A debit-card replacement normally does not require closing the underlying bank account.

Can someone else collect my card?

This depends on the bank’s identity-verification and card-collection rules. Confirm the policy with your bank before sending another person.

Can I have more than one debit card?

Some banks and account types support additional or supplementary cards, while others impose restrictions.

What if my card expires?

Contact the bank or check the mobile application for its renewal procedure. Some banks automatically process certain renewals, while others require a request.

Conclusion

Requesting a new debit card is usually straightforward when your account information is up to date. Start with your bank’s official mobile app if card requests are supported there. Otherwise, use the bank’s official customer-service channel or visit a branch. For lost or stolen cards, blocking the old card should be treated as the first priority.